Breaking Free

Ever felt smothered by everyone else's idea of what your life should be like? Have you ever just wanted to say "Stop! It's my life!" to those closest to you? We all have, haven't we? I bet you were too afraid to do it though. So you kept your mouth shut, and did exactly what you always told yourself you would never do: you followed the rules set by people who don't really know you, and let THEM control your life. But what could happen if you finally just said no? If you decided to follow your own dream? Would something amazing happen? Would you fall in love? Would you find what you've been looking for your whole life? What could happen if you just...broke free?

3. Wish Me Luck

Three Days Later...

"Keep the change!" Belle yelled to the taxi driver as she grabbed her suitcase and purse and slammed the door shut. It drove away and Belle made her way into the New York City hotel where she had just dropped off at. It wasn't the Ritz, but it was still four stars. Belle was humble, but she liked to live nice.

As soon as Belle had written her parents the goodbye note, she'd grabbed her suitcase and headed out the door. She had already removed her entire trust fund from the bank since she was eighteen and could legally do that now, so she had bought a ticket and hopped on the first plane leaving California to New York City.

It wasn't Belle's first time in The City, so she wasn't too intimidated. Belle wasn't intimidated by hardly anything or anyone, actually.

She got checked in and helped to her room, where she gave the cute bellboy a very generous tip.

As soon as she got into the room, Belle called her agent. That's right, she had her own agent now. Alan had been good on his word to help Belle in any way he could and his father had lots of friends with connections. So that was how Belle got in touch with Kayla Copeland, her new agent.

The phone rang twice before Kayla picked up.

"Belle, hi! I'm so glad you called, are you in New York yet?"

Belle smiled. She had only talked to Kayla three or four times and they already spoke like best friends. Kayla was a very chipper girl, just a few years older than Belle herself.

"Yeah I just got settled in at the hotel." Belle replied. "I just wanted to see if you had anything for me today?"

"Oh, wow. You seriously wanna start today? I mean you just landed and--"

"Kayla," Belle interrupted, "I've waited my whole life to be able to chase my own dream and make decisions without someone breathing down my neck and criticizing my every move." She paused for dramatic effect. "I want to get started as soon as possible."

Kayla was silent for a second, but then Belle heard, "Well alright then Annabelle Costa, your singing career is starting today."

***

Belle hailed a taxi outside the hotel two hours later and clambered inside, guitar case in tow. She gave the driver the address to her destination and sat back, taking in a deep breath.

Kayla had gotten in touch with a few friends and found out that auditions were being held right in New York that day for an opening act with a band called One Direction. Belle had heard of them before, but just in passing. She knew they were from the UK though, and if she remembered correctly there were five boys and they were all pretty hot.

Kayla explained that the boys were starting their three month UK tour in five weeks and had just lost their formerly hired opening act for some unknown reason. Thus, they were now holding auditions to find "undiscovered talent" to take on tour with them.

Belle pulled out a compact mirror and examined her reflection. She had to admit, she looked pretty hot. She was wearing faded skinny jeans with rips in them, black wedge heeled boots that laced just above her ankle, and a silver sequined top with various length chains. Her brown hair was down and in its natural waves, and she was wearing minimal amounts of foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara; just enough to make her chocolate brown eyes pop. She was wearing her Burberry lip gloss too of course.

Sophie tapped her foot up and down nervously. It only took about ten minutes to get to the arena where the auditions were being held, and she thanked the driver and paid him before stepping out.

As the taxi pulled away, Belle took in a deep breath and closed her eyes for just a moment. She could do this. She had to do this.

Belle stepped inside the doors.

***

As soon as she got checked in, Belle was directed to a waiting room with about thirty other people. The woman signing her in had informed Belle that she was going to be the very last act to audition for the boys today. No pressure or anything.

Belle was told she would have to wait for about fourty five minutes for her audition time. She took the time to get out her guitar and strum a little bit, which always calmed her nerves. She made sure to take deep breaths in order to stay calm.

Finally, almost an hour later, Belle looked around and realized that the room was completely empty. It had been slowly declining in capacity, but now Belle was the only one left. Which meant she was next to have her name called to go inside.

Belle gulped and put her guitar in her case and picked it up to rest on her lap. Her stomach was jumping like crazy, she was so nervous. She fidgeted with the handle on her case, and tried to take deep breaths. It wasn't working very well.

Finally, Belle remembered back to what Alan had said to her:

"You can't let your dreams slip away, Belle."

Belle stopped shaking and fidgeting. Alan was right. She couldn't let her dreams slip away. Without them, she was just another rich girl destined to follow in her father's footsteps. She wouldn't let that happen though. Belle deserved more than that.

"Annabelle Costa!" A man suddenly called as he poked his head out from the stage side door into the waiting room, making Belle jump. She turned to look at him, and saw that he had on a headset and a clipboard in his hand. "I'm guessing your Annabelle?" he asked.

Belle smiled, realizing that all her nerves were gone now. "Yes, that's me. But you can call me Belle."

The guy chuckled and waved Belle over with his clipboard. She stood up to walk over to him right as he was saying, "Alright then Belle Costa, you're up!"

Belle smiled and threw the man a wink before stepping onto the stage and saying,